31 research outputs found
Empirical modelling of geotechnical strength based on index properties: a case of patti formation, southern bida basin, nigeria
The strength properties of geo-materials are paramount to the stability or otherwise of civil engineering structures. However, the determination of some of these properties such as California Bearing Ratio (CBR) and Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) is costly and time-consuming. This necessitates the generation of models that can quickly predict the strength properties from cost-effective and less time-consuming index properties of the same geo-materials. In this study, an attempt has been made to predict the CBR and UCS values from Atterberg limit tests for sediments derived from Patti Formation, Southern Bida Basin, Nigeria. The tests were performed following appropriate codes of the British Standard Method for testing materials. Both linear and polynomial fitting models were employed for regression analysis between the index and strength parameters. The results showed that Liquid Limit (LL), Plastic Limit (PL), and Shrinkage Limit (SL) are strongly correlated with UCS and CBR, having R2 ranging from 0.8-0.91. The equations can be used to quickly predict UCS and CBR in areas with similar geology. Similar studies are recommended in other parts of the country to aid the regional evolution of models for rapid strength characterization of geo-materials.
 
MORPHOMETRIC INDICES AND PARASITES OF FROZEN CLARIAS GARIEPINUS AND OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS SOLD IN JOS METROPOLIS, PLATEAU STATE
The study on morphometric indices and parasites of frozen Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus sold in Jos metropolis was carried out from January to April 2016. The indices measured were eye diameter, total length, standard length and weight. Twenty-two individuals of each species were measured. The mean of morphometric indices showed a very high significant difference (total length: t = 49.085, df = 42, P < 0.0001; standard length: t = 34.466, df = 42, P < 0.0001; eye diameter: t = 18.139, df = 27.906, P < 0.0001; weight: t = 2.1402, df = 28.785, P < 0.04094) between the two fish species. A total of eight parasites were recorded in this study, of which sporocyst of diplostomatid, Pallisentis tetradontis, Acanthella from Ostracod, Piscicolid leech were found in both fish species. However, Allocreaduim ghanensis, Coracidium and Rhabdochonacon golensis were found in only Clarias gariepinus, while Spinitectus allaeri was only found in Oreochromis niloticus. The prevalence of parasites in relation to internal organs was high in Clarias gariepinus and low inOreochromis niloticus. However, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in prevalence rate of parasites in relation to internal organs of the two fish species. The parasites recorded are of medical importance. This study underscores the need for bio-surveillance of fish borne parasites being sold to the general public. The internal organs of fishes should be discarded before cooking the remaining part
Insecticidal Activity of Crude Extracts of Hyptis suaveolens (Bush Mint) on Anopheles Mosquitoes Collected from Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Anopheles gambiae is a vector that is responsible for the transmission of malaria parasites which causes high morbidity and mortality in Nigeria and the world at large. Human-vector contact can be reduced by the use of conventional repellents being sold in the market, though some of these repellent are not environmentally friendly and An. gambiae have developed resistance to some of these repellents. To this end, the phytochemical constituents and insecticidal activity of crude extracts of Hyptis suaveolens (bush mint) was determined on adult An. gambiae mosquitoes collected from Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria to evaluate its effect in controlling them. Here, 70% ethanolic and diethyl ether fat crude extracts were made from H. suaveolens dried leaves and used to carry out the experiment. The phytochemical screening of the ethanol extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoid, saponins, tannins, steroids and reducing sugar. Glycoside was not detected in the ethanol extract. Only steroids was detected in diethyl ether extract the rest of the phytochemical tested were absent. An. gambiae larvae were collected from the field and were raised to F1 progeny adults that were used for the study. WHO protocol for carrying out human bait repellency cage test was used. Human hand treated with the extracts was exposed to a cage containing 30 female mosquitoes for each of the extracts respectively. The ethanolic crude extract treatment proved to be more effective in repelling mosquitoes with 0% (0/30) mosquito landing than diethyl ether extract which had 40% (12/30) mosquitoes landing and the control hand (untreated left hand) had the highest landing rate 63.3% (19/30) which showed very high significant difference (χ2 = 27.2619, df = 2, P <0.00001) in relation to the treatments. After 24 hours holding period, the mortality rate of exposed mosquitoes was observed to be highest in the ethanolic treatment 73.3% (22/30). In conclusion, H. suaveolens extracts have repellency potential in controlling adult An. gambiae
Tuberculin screening of some selected Fulani lactating cows in north-central Nigeria
The prevalence of mycobacterial infection among lactating Fulani cows was investigated in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Kaduna State of Nigeria. Tuberculin testing using single comparative intradermal tuberculin test showed a 14.6 % positive, 4 % doubtful, and 81.4 % negative reactors. Mycobacterial infection was found to be present in the nomadic (constantly moving) and seminomadic (limited movement) management systems studied but management showed no significant effect on the prevalence of the disease. However, the prevalence was significantly higher in older age groups than the younger ones (P < 0.05).Peer reviewedSubmitted Versio
Anti-trypanosomal Activity of Bufonidae (Toad) Venom Crude Extract on Trypanosoma brucei brucei in Swiss Mice
Trypanosomiasis afflicts about 6 ~ 7 million people globally and to a large extent impedes livestock production in Africa. Naturally, trypanosomal parasites undergo genetic mutation and have developed resistance over a wide range of therapies. The utilization of animals and plants products has presented therapeutic potential for identifying novel anti-trypanosomal drugs. This study evaluated toad venom for anti-trypanosomal potency invivo in Swiss mice. Toads were collected from July to August 2019. The acute oral toxicity and biochemical characterization of the toad venom were determined. The experimental mice were administered various doses (130 mg/kg, 173 mg/kg and 217 mg/kg) of the toad venom crude extract and 0.75 mg/mL of Diamizan Plus standard drug for the treatment of trypanosomiasis, once daily for 3 days. The in-vivo anti-trypanosomal activity was evaluated by a curative test, after infecting the mice with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The pre-patent period was 72 hours before treatment commenced. The overall results showed that trypanosomal load was highest in the control group while the group treated with Diamizan drug had the least trypanosomal load. As such, the mean trypanosomal load in relation to treatments showed a very high significant difference (P0.05) across treatment groups. The over 50% reduction in the trypanosomal load in the 130 mg/kg group in comparison with the control group brings to bare the anti-trypanosomal potency of the toad venom. The anti-trypanosomal activity demonstrated by the toad venom has provided basis for development of new therapeutic agents from different toad species. The study recommends further studies (both in-vivo and invitro) followed by the characterization of the active compounds present in the toad venom responsible for the anti-tyrpanosomal activity observed alongside the management and conservation of these species
Evaluation of andrological indices and testicular histology following administration of varied doses of nicotine
This study is aimed at determining the effect of Nicotine on male fertility by evaluating some andrological parameters of male Wistar rat such as sperm parameters (spermatozoa count and motility), serum concentration of testosterone and testicular weight. Histopathology of the testis was also carried out on the effect of nicotine on testicular microstructure. 20 adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups, the test groups were administered with 0.2mg/100g, 0.4/100g and 0.6/100g body weight daily for 30 days while the control were administered with 2mls 0.9% physiological saline. Nicotine caused a significant reduction (P < 0.05) and (P< 0.01) in the mean values of sperm count, serum testosterone concentration and testicular weight in the test when compared with the control. Also, in the test group, the deleterious effect of nicotine on the sperm parameters and testosterone concentration was corroborated by histopathology which revealed a marked degeneration of germ cell layers in the seminiferous tubule and disruption of interstitial cells of the testis thereby interfering with spermatogenesis and testosterone secretion while there was no visible change in the control group. It was concluded that nicotine exerted toxic effect on the germ cell layers in seminiferous tubule with concomitant reduction in reproductive potentials of the male rat whilst showing no significant change in sperm motility. Nicotine and nicotine based products should therefore be taken with caution in cases of infertility. Key words: germ cells, testes, testosterone, fertility, spermatogenesis
Towards a successful management of aflatoxin contamination in legume and cereal farming systems in northern Nigeria: A case study of the groundnut value chain
Aflatoxin is reported to be a major challenge of many agricultural commodity value chains groundnut, with
potential negative impacts on nutrition, food safety, human health and foreign trade. This paper presents
multiple pre-emptive management measures in the management of Aflatoxins in the groundnut value chain
in Nigeria. These measures include: the organization of Training of Trainers (ToT) workshops, development
of aptitudes in the detection and quantification of aflatoxin levels, demonstration of integrated crop
management (ICM) practices, production of pedagogic materials to support awareness raising engagement
of media organs to sustain awareness on the challenges of aflatoxin contamination, and evaluation and
promotion of Aspergillus flavus resistant groundnut varieties. Alongside these measures which target
behavioural corrections, samples of groundnut and groundnut-based are being collected to establish the
prevalence and distribution of aflatoxin contamination in groundnut kernel and groundnut-based products in
Northern Nigeria
Durability properties of cement – saw dust ash (SDA) blended self compacting concrete (SCC)
This paper report the durability properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) modified with Saw dust ash (SDA) exposed to an aggressive media. Saw dust ash (SDA) was used to partially replace OPC in SCC at 0 - 30%. A number of trials mixes were conducted to obtain grade 40 SCC, with a suitable mix proportion varied at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 % by weight of the binder as OPC replacement in SCC. Constant water to binder ratio of 0.37 with water reducing admixtures was used in all the mixtures. The research reveals that SDA enhanced the resistance of SCC against Na2SO4 attack at 5% replacement but performed poorly in H2SO4. The water absorption of SCC decreases with an increase in SDA content. The resistance of SDA-SCC to elevated temperature is reduced with an increase in SDA content. The compressive strength of the SDA-SCC decreases with the age of exposure in an aggressive media. The SEM result revealed the presence of crystal like spikes of SDA particles, which may contribute significantly to the high surface area of the ash particles and results in a porous structure at an early age